For more than 50 years, Plant Stanols and Plant Sterols which are also known as phytosterols and phytostanols are highly recognized for having the ability to lower blood cholesterol levels. What’s more, stanols and sterols are necessary components of cell membranes that are produced by both animals and plants. Now these substances can naturally be found in numerous whole grains; vegetables, vegetable oil, seeds, nuts, legumes and fruits in small quantities.

Presently, manufacturers have started placing stanols and sterols in numerous foods such as cereals, cooking oils, cream cheese, granola bars, margarine spreads, mayonnaise, milk, orange juice, salad dressings, snack bars and yogurt - as well as a broad range of processed foods. This is due to the fact that there are no known health hazards or side effects that are associated with stanols and sterols. In addition to that, stanols and sterols are known for having potent cholesterol lowering properties.

Now in case you are wondering how stanols and sterols can help lower LDL cholesterol, it is because phytosterols and phytostanols looks very much like cholesterol on a molecular level. This is actually how they prevent real cholesterol from being absorbed into your bloodstream - they get in the way when they begin to travel in your digestive tract. This then leaves cholesterol going out as waste as oppose to clogging up your arteries.

Now although Plant Stanols and Plant Sterols is highly recommended for people who have experienced a heart attack, The American Heart Association doesn't recommend this for everyone. Apart from having had a heart attack, foods that are fortified with sterol and stanol is suggested for those who really need to lower their cholesterol levels. Note that aside from stanols and sterols, other low cholesterol diet includes walnuts; soy protein, fatty fish, oatmeal and oat bran.

To date, the health claims of stanols and sterols have already been approved by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which states that it can help maintain healthy cholesterol if combined with a low fat diet. In addition to that, most experts today agree that eating foods that contain stanols and sterols is a fast, easy and effective way to help lower LDL cholesterol which then lessens the risk of heart disease and other heart related problems.